Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns

Kalpana S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns

What is the rule for using the pesky little accent circumflex with possessive plurals-- adjectives and pronouns (notre and votre)? Used only with pronouns but not adjectives? Is that right? 

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Kalpana, 

You have got it in one,  the 'pesky' little circumflex accent is only written with the possessive pronouns but not the possessive adjectives.

Notre, nos, votre, vos, leur, leurs = our, your, their (possessive adjectives)

C'est notre maison  ? ----->  Oui, c'est la nôtre Is it our house? ---->Yes,  it's ours

C'est votre clé ? -----> non, c'est la vôtre  !=  Is that your key? ----> No, it's yours!

Hope this helps 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The possessive pronouns le nôtre and le vôtre (in all their genders and numbers) have the circumflex. Posessive adjectives (notre, votre) don't.

Les billets sont à nous. Ce sont nos billets. Ce sont les nôtres.

Kalpana S. asked:

Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns

What is the rule for using the pesky little accent circumflex with possessive plurals-- adjectives and pronouns (notre and votre)? Used only with pronouns but not adjectives? Is that right? 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...